Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: The Silvesta Heiress Intrudes
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Seeing Yuris flee, Helen was convinced.
There was definitely something in that Hall of Illusions.
Something capable of breaking that Iron-Blood Knight.
That must have been why.
Today, more than ever, she couldn't focus on her classes at the academy.
'It's not sinking in.'
How could it?
A clue to toppling that 'Iron-Blood Knight' was right in front of her.
If a member of the Silvesta Family brought down the Iron-Blood Knight, the family's prestige would soar even higher.
She had done her own investigation into the Hall of Illusions, but nothing substantial came up.
Even using the Silvesta Family's informants.
-It's a mysterious shop run by an illusion mage. That's all the info we have. No other customers besides Yuris have visited, so there's nothing else.
-We heard he's a student Professor Droken enrolled in the Magic Department. He was called a young genius, but there's a report he switched to illusion magic.
-Should we go in ourselves?
But if Silvesta informants were spotted, it would surely raise suspicions from the Iron-Blood Knight or the illusion mage.
So she pulled them back.
The shop had been open for nearly three weeks now.
Yet only one customer—Yuris.
See? There was definitely something there.
'I was planning to investigate a bit more before going in...'
But she had to go now.
If the opponent was slippery, there was only one option left.
Break through directly.
Enter and figure out exactly what Yuris was doing in there.
Class over, Helen shot up from her seat.
That was when it happened.
"U-um, Silvesta."
A shabby-looking male student approached her.
He wore the academy uniform symbolizing the same department as her, but unlike Helen's pristine one, his was frayed in places.
Even the same uniform had clear levels of quality.
A loner in the department.
From a poor family, and timid to boot, he didn't fit in with anyone—a total nerd.
He didn't even bother grooming, so his face was plain too.
He was the classmate Helen despised most in the department.
Of course, it wasn't his looks that made her hate him.
Poor family.
Frayed uniform.
Unkempt face.
These three things grated on her pursuit of perfection.
How could anyone walk around like that?
Disgusting.
She covered her nose with a handkerchief and glared at him.
"What do you want?"
"Uh, w-well..."
"Spit it out. Don't stutter."
"Um, t-today's general studies assignment... C-could we do it together?"
Hah.
Annoying.
The very fact that this worthless guy dared speak to her pissed her off.
Did he think they were equals just because they were both academy students?
"Get lost. Don't be a pest."
"S-sorry..."
At her sharp retort, the department nerd backed away, head bowed.
Even that sight was repulsive.
"What a jinx. Today's an important day."
She covered her mouth with the handkerchief as if sharing the same air with the nerd who dared approach her was unbearable, then stormed out of the lecture hall.
She heard the other academy students snickering.
Mocking the nerd who dared aim above his station, the top spirit mage genius trying to surpass Silvesta.
Losers' mockery meant nothing to Helen.
She hurried to the shop.
Glancing around in case Yuris showed up.
'There has to be a clue here.'
To catch a tiger, you enter its den.
Helen took a deep breath, knocked on the door.
Knock knock.
She cut straight to the chase with the mage who answered.
"What did Yuris do here?"
"Pardon?"
Just as expected, a troubled look.
The illusion mage called Max sweated profusely, avoiding her eyes.
A face clearly hiding something.
Knew it.
He hadn't expected her to show up out of nowhere digging into Yuris's trail.
Scared of that woman, huh?
Understandable.
The name Iron-Blood Knight carried heavy pressure.
An undefeated knight, right?
Even a young talent would fear her.
But you know...
'Silvesta is greater.'
Than some knight lackey.
Yuris's Beletaon Family was an old knight lineage, but far smaller than Marquis Silvesta.
So.
Her family had to win. No question.
Arms crossed, Helen glared at Max and spoke.
"I've already looked into it. She came here the day she won the mock battle. And she's a regular."
"You knew that much?"
"Yes. So I'll be direct. Show me what she did."
She meant proof.
"I'll reward you properly. The Silvesta Family doesn't speak empty words."
"...That's difficult."
Hah.
This was going to be a hassle.
"If you're scared of Yuris's retaliation, don't worry."
"It's not that. Our shop's creed is never to leak customer information."
"Hmph, so you're taking her side?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"I'm just an illusion mage running a theater. I'm not on anyone's side. Who would defy the Silvesta Family?"
"You know your place."
Mages were smart like that.
Good judgment.
Helen twisted her lips, eyeing Max.
"But why refuse? Need compensation? I'll pay any amount. Mages are always strapped for cash, right? Magic materials are so expensive."
...
The mage fell silent.
Few mages could refuse money.
Magic tools and reagents for experiments were pricey.
Most post-grad mages became lord's mages or merchant escorts to fund it.
This guy would be the same.
They all were.
A third-rate mage like him, daring to refuse her?
"I'm sorry."
Grit.
Helen ground her teeth.
Ah, annoying.
People who thought they were hot shit rubbed her wrong.
Not from a famous family.
No great magic prowess.
No powerful backing. Yet so stiff-necked.
Daring to reject her offer?
He reminded her of that nerd from the academy who dared speak to her.
Clueless idiot.
"If you won't talk, I'll shut this place down in the Silvesta name. Say you're deceiving people with illusion magic disguised as something else in imperial territory."
"You mean it?"
"I'm not one for idle threats. You know there are plenty of radical Goddess Church folks who call illusion magic devilish sorcery? They'd love a target like this."
...
"Think not? I heard you sell desires. Spread that in noble society, right? Selling desires with illusion magic—pure demon work, isn't it?"
Sensing victory, she smirked and beckoned with her hand.
"I'm not here to bury you. My goal's clear. Iron-Blood Knight Yuris. Tell me what she saw. I'll overlook what you sell here."
The mage sighed.
Ah, delightful.
Watching a clueless fool learn their place and crumble was too satisfying.
"Fine, if that's how it is. I can't show Lady Yuris's videos, but I can show what desire she indulged in."
Ah, now we're talking.
"Show me that woman's desire. I like it."
"Yes."
"Good. Bring the records."
"I'll show you with illusion magic."
"You want me to enter your illusion?"
"It's the only way. I'm an illusion mage."
...
Tch.
Hassle.
She just wanted Yuris's weakness and leave.
No choice if that was it.
"Fine. Show me that woman's desire."
"Before we start."
He sat her in a chair and asked.
"Any tastes you dislike?"
"What?"
***
Annoying woman.
Threatening me to get at Yuris—not a pretty sight.
Helen de Silvesta.
Silvesta Family's golden child.
The department's top spirit mage, future of the family.
Grown up pampered with beauty, love, attention—maybe that's why.
'No manners at all.'
What manners, ambushing me like this.
I get the bad blood with Yuris, but threats like that? No good.
Reporting us to the church as devil sorcery?
That's declaring a faction's downfall.
Even if the golden child snitched to so-called 'radical' believers, the shop wouldn't fold.
Just a lady, despite the halo.
Goddess Church wouldn't budge easily on her word.
Those labeling illusion heresy were a minority.
Most saw radical moves as problematic.
'Does she think I opened shop without knowing?'
Still, she needed to fix that threatening habit.
Arrogant from constant wins and praise.
She could use a taste of defeat.
Conveniently, she asked for it.
Wanted to see Yuris's 'defeat.'
Didn't want personal grudges in the magic.
'But she'll stick otherwise.'
Time to prank her a bit.
Engrave deep the experience of losing to what she hates most.
"Beginning."
Illusion magic activated centered on Helen Silvesta.